Houston port, Asia agency sign deal

Houston port, Asia agency sign deal    The Port of Houston Authority has appointed Ben Line Agencies Ltd. Singapore as its representative to promote all-water direct trade between Asia and Houston.
   Houston’s Port Commission on Tuesday approved a two-year professional services contract with Ben Line.
   “With the Panama Canal expansion project scheduled for completion in 48 months, the rules of the game have changed,' said Ricky Kunz, the port authority’s vice president of origination. 'U.S. ports are competing intensely to increase their shares of the Asian market. We’re confident that our partnership with Ben Line will help position us for the future and open new opportunities for commercial development in Asia.”
   Ben Line is a privately owned agency established in 1987 and headquartered in Singapore. It will represent Houston's interest in 80 cities in 15 countries in Asia.